“The last time Tipperary were in Division Two they were relegated in their first year up and so obviously our goal was to stay in Division Two. We’ve done that.

“We’re comfortable in Division Two and it’s allowing us to prepare well for the Championship.

“You only have to look at teams that have gone up. Kildare are a decent team, they’ve gone up, they’re on five losses now and they’re coming straight back down and what kind of preparation is that for their Championship this year I wonder?

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“Roscommon were the same last year, came back down having won only one game and they did do well in the Championship but the previous year they put an awful lot of effort into staying in Division One and they didn’t go well in the Championship.

“Galway are another interesting case this year insofar as they’re top of Division One now and playing very well and how will they go in the Championship? We’ll see.

“I think Galway have the resources to maybe cope but you don’t know. So look, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, is it?”

Given that, like Galway, Tipperary have enjoyed underage success and sent Kevin Walsh’s side packing in the Championship two years ago, it wouldn’t be outlandish to suggest that they cold emulate their feats in Division One but Kearns countered: “Yeah but what would it take out of you? That’s the point.

“You’ve got to go at it. It’s fine for the Kerrys, Mayos, Dublins who can tailor their efforts in the League to make sure that they’re peaking for the Championship but if you’re going up there to compete in Division One, are you leaving your Championship there?”

When the Kerry native built a highly competitive Limerick team in the last decade he was able to do so in the less cut-throat environment of a 16-team top flight, split into two sections of eight.

“I brought them to Division 1A, the top teams were split between 1A and 1B and it meant that you could survive up there but it’s not the case now.

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“The top six teams are established in the country and have been in Division One for many years now and invariably it’s the two promoted teams that go up and come back down again and, as I said, is that what you want for your team?”

So, with all that in mind, how will Tipp approach these last two League games?

Kearns added: “It’s up the players, that’s the view. If the players want to win those games well then they’re going to end up in Division One and that’s the reality of it but the pressure is off our players now.

“The pressure would have been on up to this point to secure the points that we needed but we’re not going up to lose any game.”